Combination electric switch.



R. A. BOEHNL. COMBINATION ELECTRICSWITCH. APPLICATION FILED APR- 8, 1916.

1,228,741 w Patented June 5,1917.

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R. A. BOEHM.

COMBINATION ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION map APR. a. 1916.

1,228,741]. a, Patented J1me 5, 1917.

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RUDOLZPH A, EOEH'M, 0E ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 BENJAMIN s; rows, or

ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

COMBINATION ELECTRIC svvI'rcH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 5, 1917.

Application filed April 8, 1916. Serial No. 89,882.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RUDOLPH A. BoEHM,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Erie, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination Electric Switches; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it' appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, forming part of this specification.

. cuit, and others of which, when operated,

operate the mechanism to break the circuit; so that it is necessary to know what push pins to operate, and the sequence in which the same are operated, in order to close the circuit.

Switches of this character are particularly desirable for controlling the ignition of motor vehicles, for the purpose of preventing unauthorized use of such vehicles; but it is obvious that such switches may be used to advantage in other electric circuits, where it is desirable to prevent unauthorized use of current.

The present invention is designed as an improvement of the construction of combination switches shown and described in the application of Benjamin S. Putts, filed August 9, 1915, Ser. No. 44.,491, allowed January 19, 1916 and issued as Patent #1,192,346; the advantages of the present invention being simplicity of construction, and the adaptability of the construction for changes in the prescribed combination and sequence of push-pins without changing the mechanism.

The features of my invention are hereinafter described and pointed out, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a plan view of mechanism embodying my invention with a portion of the cover thereof broken away.

Fig; 2, is a transverse section of the same on the line 2-2, looking in the direction of the arrow m. I

Fig. 3, is a transverse section of the same on the line 33, looking in the direction of the arrow 3 Fig. 4c, is a transverse section on the line 4-l-, looking in the direction of the arrow .2.

Fig. 5, is a diagrammatic drawing of a portion of the mechanism of my invention with the combination switch open.

Fig. 6, is a like drawing after the first push-pin of the combination has been operated.

= Fig. 7, is a like drawing after the second push-pin has been operated.

Fig. 8, is a like drawing showing by broken lines the final movement of the mechanism caused by the operation of the third push-pin. 1

In these drawings A indicates the body frame of my mechanism, which is provided with a recess a (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4.) in the inner face thereof, and with a recess a on the outer face thereof (see Fig. 3). Within the recess a, I place a hollow post B, which is secured in place by means of the square stem B. l/Vithin the recess a I pivot one end of the switch lever C, by means of a screw c,-which enters the square stem 13, of the post B, andretains the switch lever C and post 13 in place in the frame A. The

switch lever pivots on the screw 0.

On opposite sides of the recess a, I insertspring contact terminals D and D, and on the hub of the lever C, I provide contact points a and cZ-so that when the lever C is moved toward the right, the point a will contact with the terminalD; and when the lever C is moved toward the left, the point 0 will contact with the terminal D. I also provide the hub of the lever C with a neutral notch 0? into which the spring point D will enter for the purpose of-holding the lever C in its neutral position as shown in Fig. 1. From the terminals D and D conductors E and E lead to the rear side of the body A, as shown in Fig. 4.

In practice the terminal D may be connected with the battery, and the terminal D may be connected with the magneto of the motor vehicle, as in many instances it is usual to provide two sources of electric energy, so that when the lever C is moved toward the left, the circuit through the battery may be complete, when the push-pin mechanism hereinafter described is operated; and likewise, the circuit through the magneto may be established when the lever C is moved toward the right.

Within the body A, I place a series of radial spring pressed push-pins F, the number of which may be as the manufacturer and user desires; but I have preferably provided eight, which are shown in Fig. 1 as numbered 1 to 8 inclusive. Each pin F is provided with a spring to normally maintain it in'its outward position, and is also provided with a stop screw f, which operates in a slotted opening ri in the frame.

Upon the hollow post B, I place a sleeve G, which is provided with an upper inclined surface 9, and a lower inclined surface 9; these two surfaces being in conical shape and resembling a grooved wheel on a sleeve hub G. Within the sleeve G, I provide an annular groove 9 Within the hollow post B, I place a bar I-Lwhich is provided with a transverse pin H, which passes through openings in the wall of the hollow post B: I also provide the bar H, with another pin H which passes through an opening in the wall of the hollow post B, and contacts with the inner surface of the sleeve G, and when the sleeve G is caused to slide longitudinally on the hollow post B, ashereinafter described, the pin H is adapted to enter the annular groove 9 thus permitting the bar H to move sidewise in the hollow post B, and cause the pin H tolongitudinally slide in the walls of the hollow post B;

lVithin the hollow post B, I place a spring h, which is adapted to force the bar H sidewise in the hollow post B, and maintain the pin H in constant contact with the inner surface of the sleeve G.

I preferably make the side walls of the annular groove 9 inclined, and the end of the pin H with inclined surfaces, so that the pin H will move backward out of the annular groove 9 when the sleeve G is moved longitudinally on the hollow post B, as hereinafter described. Upon the back of the body A, I place a diskd, of insulating material, which has a central opening J, into which the hollow post B, projects. In this disk J, I place electric terminals K, K and K (see Figs. 3'and 4). 1

The terminal K (see Fig. 3) is provided with transverse conductor 70, which projects into the central opening J of the disk J, adjacent to one end of the pin H, so that when the sleeve G is moved downward on the hollow post B, to permit the pin H to enter the annular groove 9 the spring it, will push thebar H and pin H, sidewise,

so that the end of the pin H will contact with the end of the conductor 70, thereby establishing a circuit through the hub of the lever C, through the square stem B, post B, pin H, and conductor in, to the terminal K The combination which I prefer consists of three push-pins F, (as for instance 742: see Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8) but this combination may be changed, if desired, by changing the location of said combinationpins, so thatthe combination might read 2+7, or 83-i, according to the point in the circumference of the circle at which the combination-pins may be located, as it is the location which is numbered, instead of the pin.

The inner ends of the combination pushpins 7i2, are provided with inclined surfaces L, on their under sides, which inclined surfaces L, are adapted to consecutively engage the inclined surface 9, on the sleeve G, as illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8; and the inner ends of said combination push-pins 74r2, are also provided with upper inclined surfaces L, which are adapted to engage the upper inclined surface 9, on the sleeve as hereinafter described. All of the remaining push-pins (1, 3, 5, 6 and 8) when not in the combination, are provided on their inner ends with upper inclined or curved surfaces L which are adapted to engage the upper inclined surface g, on the sleeve G, for the purpose of forcing the sleeve G, upward as hereinafter described.

In the arrangement of the combination of my invention, I prefer to use three of the push pins F, for instance those indicated by the numerals 74l2. In Fig. 3, l have shown the push pin indicated by the numeral 7 as having the inclined surface L thereon, adapted to engage the lower inclined surface on the sleeve G, so that when said pin is pushed inwardly, it will force the sleeve G downwardly, on the hol low post B far enough so that the push pin l on the opposite side will, when forced inwardly, engage said lower inclined surface g on the sleeve G, andforce said sleeve G downwardly a certain distance; but said second pin will not so operate until after the pin number 7 has been operated, said push pin F, represented by the numeral 4, being provided on its inner end with a notch Z, (see Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8) which will receive the point" of the angle 9 therein, if said push pin is operated before the first pin of the combination isoperated.

Looking at Figs. 5, 6, 7 and, 8, it will be seen that if the pin 7 is first operated, it will engage the surface on the sleeve G, and force the sleeve G downwardly far enough so that when the pin 4'.- is operated,,it will engage the surface g and continue the downward movement of the sleeve G, so that it may be engaged by the inclined surtill face L on the push pin 2, which will continue the downward movement of the sleeve G until the pin H enters the annular groove 9 in the sleeve G as hereinbefore described.

Now, if after the first push pin F of the combination, being '7 in Fig. 6, has been operated, the last pin of the combination (2) is next operated, the upper inclined surface L will engage the under side of the point of the angle 9 and force the sleeve G, back to the starting point; and likewise, if after the second combination pin (a) has been operated, as shown in Fig. 7, the first combination pin (7) is again operated, the sleeve G, will be forced back to the starting point; and again, after all of the combination pins (7-- l2) have been operated in their proper sequence, the sleeve G can be returned to its uppermost or starting point by operating either of the combination pins 7 or 4:, as will appear by referring to Fig. 8; or the sleeve G can be returned to its initial position as shown in Fig. 5 by operating any of the push pins F, not combination pins (1, 8, 5, 6 or 8). When the sleeve G is forced upwardly on the supporting post 13, the backward movement of the pin H out of the annular groove 9 causes the bar H, to move laterally against the spring it and separate the end of the pin H, carried by said bar, from engagement with the end of the conductor 70.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that if the push pins 7%2, are consecutively pushed inward, that the sleeve G will be forced downward on the hollow post B sufficiently for the annular groove to receive the pin H therein, thereby permitting the pin H to contact with the conductor 70. The lever C, is then moved so that one of the points 0 or 0 will engage one of the terminals D or D, and thus a circuit will be from the terminal K or terminal K, as the case may be, through the conductor E or E to the lever C, square stem 13, hollow post B, pin H, and conductor is, to the terminal K When it is desired to break the circuit so that the lever C will not close it, either of the combination pins 7 or d, or any one of the push pins not in the combination will, if pressed inward, cause the sleeve G to move back into the position thereof shown in the drawings and thus withdraw the pin H from contact with the conductor 70. In order, therefore, to complete the electric circuit through my improved switch mechanism, it is necessary to know what push pins constitute the combination and the sequence in which they must be operated.

Therefore having described my invention so as to enable others to construct and utilire the same, I do not desire to be limited to the exact construction and arrangement herein shown and described, as it is obvious that many changes in the construc tion, form and arrangement may be made without departing from the scope of my invention; therefore, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the class described, a body frame, an electric circuit therethrough, spring pressed means adapted to close said circuit. a slidable member adapted to control said spring pressed means, and a series of spring pressed push pins, some of which are adapted to move said slidable member in one direction, and others of which are adapted to move said member in the opposite direction, substantially as set forth.

2. In a device of the class described, a body frame, an electric circuit therethrough, a post secured in said frame and forming a portion of said circuit, a slidable member mounted on said post, means controlled by said slidable member adapted to make and break said circuit, and a series of spring pressed push pins, some of which are adapted to move said slidable member in one direction, and some of which are adapted to move said slidable member in the opposite direction, substantially as set forth.

3. In a device of the class described, a body frame, a pair of electric terminals thereon, a hollow post secured thereon,-an electric conductor connecting one of said terminals with said hollow post, a spring actuated slide mounted in said hollow post, a conductor connected with the other of said electric terminals and adapted to be engaged by said spring actuated slide, a slidable sleeve on said hollow post having an annular groove therein adapted to control said spring actuated slide, inclined annular surfaces around the exterior of said sleeve and a series of spring pressed push pins mounted in said frame, some of which are adapted to engage one of said inclined annular surfaces to move said sleeve in one direction and the others of which are adapted to engage the other of said inclined annular surfaces to move said sleeve in the opposite direction, substantially as set forth.

4. In a device of the character described, a body frame, a switch lever pivoted thereon, a contact point on said lever, an electric terminal secured in said body frame adapted to be engaged by said contact point, an electric conductor connected with said terminal, a post secured in said frame and contacting with. said switch lever, a slidable sleeve on said post, another electric conductor, means supported by said post adapted to make and break an electric connection between said post and the last named conductor and adapted to be controlled by said sleeve, and a series of spring pressed push pins, some of which are adapted to engage and move said 13.0

sleeve in one direction, and some of which pressed bar, and projecting through an opening in the wall of said hollow post parallel with said transverse pin, a sleeve slidably ,mounted in said hollow post and having an internal groove therein adapted to receive said last mentioned pin thereinto, opposing conical shoulders around said sleeve, a series of spring pressed push pins radially mounted in said frame,the inner ends of some of said pins being adapted to engage one of said conical shoulders and slide said sleeve in one direction, the inner ends of others of said push pins being adapted to engage the other of said conical shoulders and slide said sleeve in the other direction, an electric conductor connected with one end of said hollow post, and another electric conductor mounted in said frame and adapted to becontacted with by said transversely slidable pin, substan tially as set forth;

6. In adevice of the class described, a circular body frame having a recess in therear side thereof, a hollow post centrally and nonrotatably secured withinsaid recess,an-electrio conductor secured within said. body frame and connecting with said-'hollow -post,

face of said sleeve and adapted to enter intosaid internal annular groove in said sleeve, a pin transversely slidable in openings in the wall of said hollow post and, non-slidably secured in said spring pressed bar, a back plate adapted to be secured upon said body frame, a conductor supported by said plate and adapted to be contacted with by said transversely slidable pin, and a series of spring pressed push pins radially mounted in said body frame, some of which are adapted to engage one of said conical shoulders and slide said sleeve in one direction, and others of which are adapted to engage the other of said conical shoulders and slide said sleeve in the opposite direction, substantially as set forth. 4

7. In a device of the class described, a body frame, an electric circuit therein, spring pressed means adapted to make and break said circuit, a slidable member adapted to control said spring pressed means, and a series of spring pressed push pins some of which are adapted to move said slidable member in one direction, and others of which are adapted to move said slidable member in the opposite direction, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

RUDOLPH A. BOEHM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

